“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?” -Lao tzu
The process to stop, let the mud settle, reflect and validate set’s the foundation for the right action to arise. I see this mental process as the training of emotional fitness. Just like you need to combine exercise and weight to increase the size and strength of a muscle, so do you need to train to increase emotional fitness especially as it pertains to decision making.
In slowing down and reflecting there is a greater chance that you can reduce the power emotion plays in decision making and determine, “Are my actions aligning with my goals?” Patience, reflection and validation are easy things to do in theory but step into the real world and incorporate life, it’s easier said than done. But, just like everything you need to train (practice), you need a coach (knowledge and accountability), and you need to measure and track your progress.
The future is naturally uncertain. As the stakes get high, the impact emotion plays typically increases. The question you need to ask yourself is, “Do I want to blindly slop through the mud with the herd or should I stop, reflect, validate and contemplate an alternative solution?” I encourage you to find a solution that aligns with your goals and the path you want to take!